City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is playing it close to the vest when it comes to who should replace Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton in the Senate.

The political world has been abuzz with speculation that Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy, will get the appointment from Democratic Gov. David Paterson.

"Senator Clinton is not going to step down until after she's appointed, so I think we'll hear lots of speculation from lots of people between now and January," Ms. Quinn told us at the King's Arms restaurant in West Brighton, where she addressed members of the Forest Avenue Business Improvement District.

Said Ms. Quinn, "Certainly, Caroline Kennedy is someone I've had the honor of working with around public-education issues in this city. She's raised a lot of money for our public schools, which we desperately need. I understand why she would be in consideration."